Cities, groups honor veterans with ceremonies, events

Portland-area civic and military organizations are hosting several Veterans Day events Monday to mark the somber occasion.

In Salem, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs will again host a memorial ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. on the department's grounds in Salem, 700 Summer St. N.E. The public ceremony will honor three fallen Oregon service members who died recently while serving in Afghanistan and the Red Sea. The names of more than 140 other Oregon men and women that are inscribed on the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial also will be read during the ceremony.

Veterans Day was once called Armistice Day. In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent in Europe and the armistice was signed, signaling the end of the war to end all wars. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as Armistice Day. Since 1954, Nov. 11 has officially been set aside as Veterans Day.

Nov 11, 11 a.m.  A ceremony at the Veterans Gateway, Washington County Fairgrounds will pay special recognition to the 60-year anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. Guest speakers: Andy Duyck, Washington Co. Board Chair; local Korean War veterans. Color Guard: VFW and American Legion. Light refreshments will be provided afterward.

 Milwaukie

Nov. 11, 1 to 5 p.m.  Veterans and their families are invited to an Open House at American Legion Post 180, 2146 S.E. Monroe St. Hot dogs and chili will be served. Live patriotic music at 3 p.m. provided by Post 180s musicians. Donations accepted.

 Newberg

Nov. 10 and 11  Flag folding ceremonies will be held at local assisted living facilities both days by Lester C. Rees American Legion Post 57.

 Oregon City

Nov. 11, noon to 6 p.m.  VFW Three Rivers Post 1324, 104 Tumwater, will have Post tours and displays of military memorabilia from WWII through the present. Coffee and refreshments will be served.

 Portland

Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 10, noon to 5 p.m.  All veterans, active duty military, retirees and their families will be admitted free to the Oregon History Museum at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave. A valid military ID, a Veterans Identification Card, a Common Access Card (CAC), DD Forms 1173 or 1173-1 are required for admission.

Nov. 9, 9 to 11 a.m.  City Bible Church, 9200 N.E. Fremont St., will host a free Veterans Day breakfast for all veterans, First Responders, their family and friends and the public.

Nov. 11, 9:45 a.m.  The 39th Annual Ross Hollywood Chapel Veterans Day Parade runs from Northeast 40th Avenue and Tillamook Street, ending at 48th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard. A ceremony is planned at 10:30 a.m. Grand Marshals: USO Northwest Staff. All proceeds from the first Hollywood Veterans Mile run will benefit USO Northwest. After the parade the public is invited to a free WWII style USO show at the Hollywood Theater on Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

Nov. 11, all day  The Oregon Zoo will mark Veterans Day by offering free admission for military veterans and active military personnel, as well as family members who accompany them to the zoo. Families of deployed military personnel also will be given free admission.

To receive free admission, visitors must show a military or veteran organization ID, discharge papers or other official military identification; families of deployed military personnel must show an active duty ID. The Zoo Store is also offering a 10 percent discount for veterans, active military personnel and their families, with proper identification.

 Prineville

Nov. 11, 11 a.m.  The annual parade begins on Main Street and Fourth Avenue and ends at Ochoco Park where a ceremony will honor veterans. Afterwards American Legion Post 29 is hosting a free spaghetti lunch open to the public at the Veterans Club, 405 N. Main St.

 Sandy

Nov. 11, 11 a.m.  Ceremonial tribute with patriotic music hosted by VFW Post 4273 and Auxiliary at the Sandy Town Square on Pioneer Boulevard. Guest speakers, Color Guard, and Taps will be played. At noon, a community potluck is planned at VFW Post 4273, 38452 Proctor Blvd.

Nov. 11, noon  Veterans and guest are invited to enjoy Hobo Stew at American Legion Post 158, 8635 S.W. Scoffins St. Donations will be accepted.

 Wilsonville

Nov. 11 – 10:30 a.m. – Salute to the U.S. Flag and Americas veterans during a ceremony at the Oregon Korean War Memorial, 29600 Town Center Park. Korean Consul General Young Wan Song will present Ambassador for Peace certificates and medals to U.S. Korean War veterans.